Preds Defender Signs With Bills

ARENA FOOTBALL - The Beat

January 25, 2004|By Shannon Shelton, Sentinel Staff Writer

Kahlil Carter, the arenafootball2 defensive player of the year with the Arkansas Twisters last year, left the Orlando Predators' training camp after signing a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Carter likely will play in NFL Europe and then join the Bills during training camp.

The Predators will retain Carter's AFL rights.

Carter had 63.5 total tackles and 14 interceptions for the Twisters last year. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns and had five passes for 58 yards and one score.

LINEMEN ADDED TO ROSTER

The Predators signed linemen Abdullah Wiggins and Anthony McKenzie. Wiggins, 6 feet 2 and 280 pounds, played at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich., and in af2. He was plucked from the Predators' free-agent tryout camp in November.

McKenzie, 6-1 and 300, played at USF and with the Florida Firecats of af2.

RECEIVERS ARE IMPRESSIVE

Predators Coach Jay Gruden said the receiving corps, which includes 2003 AFL Rookie of the Year Travis McGriff, remains strong, and the line is solid despite some players reporting out of shape. Gruden cut some of this past week's practices short because of hamstring injuries.

AFL BOSS TO BE IN TOWN

This week will kick off with an appearance from Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker, who will discuss the AFL's expansion and increased marketing presence with the Preds' owners and potential investors. Baker is scheduled to be in town Monday.

ETC.

The Predators' season opener will be Sunday, Feb. 8, against the Storm in Tampa. The Preds' home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 13, against the expansion Austin Wranglers at TD Waterhouse Centre. . . . DB Lin-J Shell, who was plucked from a free-agent tryout camp in November, has impressed the coaching staff and no longer is considered a long shot to make the team.